Suni

Just a quick update on my girls. Suni is a challenge!! Her peeing and drinking is normal, she gets around with a skip in her gait, acting like the boss she is. But...she is still eating everything in sight, even stealing Mandi's food when she can. Being badly overweight, her trachea collapse and her eye are my concerns now. Am making an appointment this month for a dental and complete ultrasound from head to toe, and see where we stand with the eye. That is providing she can be intubated with her trachea. Do you know of anything to help her with her coughing due to the trachea? We give her cough pills and have given, twice, pills for collapsing trachea. Don't know what they were. Failed to ask and I no longer have the empty bottle. May have something else the doctor can try. UGH!! Bless her. I feel so sorry for her having such deep raspy cough and breathing difficulty when she has an episode. I stick her in front of a fan, which is what I was told to do, by the vet.

Mandi is still testing me on her eating. I am just about to throw in the towel and see if she wants some Ol Roy or some other yucky food! Being the brat she is, she would probably eat that!! Have put her on some good probiotic chews for her tummy. Her eye stays red from pawing at it. They tell me it is allergies so we are doing an allergy chew also. I also give her some Benadryl too! Other than that, she is the sweetest most loving little thing I have ever seen. She is my baby girl! I am exhausted and frustrated with their problems, but by the Grace of God, we will find some answers to make it all better.

Hope everyone is healthy, happy and doing well and having a wonderful, blessed and safe 4th of July!

Shelba, thanks so much for your update, but I’m sorry to hear that things are still pretty stressful for you. I sure wish I knew something that would help with Suni’s cough, but that’s one challenge that I haven’t had to face myself. Hopefully you’ll learn more when you take her in for her work up. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that you only find out answers instead of any new problems.

And yep, I can easily imagine your exhaustion with Madi’s appetite issues! We’ve just been through another GI upset with Luna — they really come and go with no rhyme or reason. But at least she’s doing better again, and I hope Madi will soon settle down, too.

Thanks so much for your holiday well wishes. It was a quiet weekend around our house except for the evening neighborhood fireworks. But thankfully Luna never pays any attention at all. She must be descended from a line of gun dogs because those loud booms have never bothered her or even awakened her from snoozing on the couch ;-).

Hang in there, girl, and do let us know what you find out after Suni’s appointment.
Marianne

Thanks Marianne. I am searching for simple but healthy, with necessary vitamin and nutrient efficient ingredients, in home cooked meal recipes for Mandi. The girl has got my goat!! She loves her supplements but balks at the food. Brat!!

What do you feed Luna, and what supplements do you give her, if you don't mind?

Anyone have any home cooked recipes for a one year old problem child you might share?

Aside from preparing bland chicken and white rice during GI upsets, I have never home cooked for my dogs. So unfortunately I have no tips in that regard — hopefully some other folks will have ideas to share. Labs are notorious for being chowhounds, so for the most part, I’ve been spared issues of inappetance. It’s only now in her old-age that Luna has been having these GI issues, and I think it’s on days that her stomach is upset that she just doesn’t want to eat anything.

I’ve always fed my dogs kibble because it’s so easy to store and serve, and they’ve always been happy with it. Up until the last few years with Luna, I had rotated among high-end grainfree products. But then I got nervous reading about the possible association between grainfree food and dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. In honesty, I didn’t see why peas and lentils and potatoes are any more a part of a natural diet for a dog than grains, anyway, so I switched to grain-containing. And, for what it’s worth, she was starting to have the GI problems while still on the grainfree, so I don’t think grain is the source of her current issues. She’s now eating Purina Pro Plan Senior Bright Mind Chicken and Rice. It shares a lot of the same ingredients as the prescription I/D food she’s been on during her GI upsets, and she seems to really like it in between episodes. To make it even more enticing, I cook ground turkey and add some crumbles with a bit of warmed water to make her meal more like a stew.

Her only medication now is Previcox for her arthritis, and Denamarin (milk thistle and SAM-e) to support her liver from possible irritation from the Previcox. I had also been giving her CBD oil for her arthritis and some Omega oil capsules for general health. But since the GI upsets started, I’ve discontinued all the oils in order to limit any possible triggers. I also have some Rx probiotics to give her during her upsets. But that’s it. For now, we’re trying to limit the things that she’s taking by mouth, and her food is allegedly nutritionally complete.

I surely do hope you can find something that makes mealtimes with Madi a lot easier. As I say, food has largely been an isolated issue for me. It was only when Barkis was so sick with his Cushing’s and now these intermittent episodes with Luna that it’s been a problem for me. But it has been *so* stressful during these few times that my heart goes out to you and anybody else who is struggling on a regular basis. As I say, hopefully some other folks will soon be by with tips to share.

Marianne

Interesting you should share the grain and grain-free kibble. FWIW, I too have recently been pondering the difference it might make. Suni has been on grain-free all her life, so I may have ignorantly contributed to some of her issues. I am going to introduce some grain kibble along with her grain-free and see if she does better. I have her on a weight control kibble, but honestly, I doubt there is very little difference in it and others.

As for Mandi, I tried her on Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy and she liked it a while... I can't count right off how many quality brands we have tried with that girl, but one or two meals and she is finished with it. She prefers Suni's weight control food over all others! Even tried some of that they fix tailored to a dogs profile!! Go figure! I am not giving up on her just yet!! That's why I am trying to get a home cooked recipe lined up for her needs, just in case all else fails! I am exhausted!!!

I am very curious about CBD oil for cushings treatment. I would love some pros and cons about it please, and especially from experienced users.

I took Suni for her followup/workup today and I am pretty frustrated and in a dilemma as to what to do! Help!! First, she is having an eye enucleation the 9th of September on the right eye and the other eye that has cherry eye has now developed a cataract. The pressure was not high in the bad eye. Surprised me because i figured it would be really high.

Her ultrasound showed she has an impressively enlarged liver, but no fluid around heart or lungs. X-rays showed a very serious narrowing in the lower trachea. Coughing is getting worse.

Ultrasound showed adrenals normal size (?) with one only a tiny bit larger than the other. She said almost unnoticeable. Looked healthy with no other issues involving them. She now tends to believe the elevated ALPH is liver related rather than cushings. (?) Sludge, or whatever is in her gallbladder is worse also. Bloodwork looked great except for the high ALPH.

For right now she is letting me make most decisions regarding how aggressively we want to tackle these problems, and I am horrified I will have the wrong influence on how to treat and what to treat. The girl is happy and loving life except for the vision loss and not getting around as well as she once was. So please help me decide.
What and how to proceed. I will now say that I think the eye removal is the least of the concerns.

No dental for now. She said we wanted to see how the trachea handled the intubation on a much lesser time of anesthesia with the eye removal since it was a much shorter surgery. Sorry for the rambling, but that's my brain in overdrive working!!

Be kind and blunt....how does all this sound to you guys?

Quote:

---

The girl is happy and loving life except for the vision loss and not getting around as well as she once was.

---

Hey there Shelba. I went ahead and quoted what you had written above, because if it was me, I think that statement would hold a lot of weight in terms of how aggressively I would want to be about intervening at this point. There’s that old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Of course you don’t want to miss being proactive about treating something that can end up turning sinister. But at this point, it does seem as though the jury’s still very much out about the possibility of Cushing’s. The normally appearing adrenals on the ultrasound do nothing to *support* the diagnosis. On the flip side, liver changes and gallbladder issues and “tracheal collapse” (is that the same as narrowing?) could be affected if Cushing’s was actually present.

However, if I’m not mistaken, Suni has suffered from the tracheal issues for years now, theoretically predating the possible appearance of Cushing’s. If what she suffers from is indeed “tracheal collapse,” this article states that liver problems can often accompany the tracheal problems. But as I say, tracheal collapse may not be the same thing as tracheal narrowing. Maybe you can clarify that for us. Anyway, here’s the article:

Quote:

---

A study indicated that a high percentage of dogs with collapsing trachea also had concurrent liver disease. Therefore, all dogs with collapsing trachea should have their liver function monitored closely. Your veterinarian will provide specific treatment advice to help with your dog's condition.

---

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-p...llapse-in-dogs

Regardless of cause, I’m thinking there are two liver tests you might consider having done in the hope of identifying more accurately what’s going on with her liver. One is a totally noninvasive blood test — a “bile acid test.” This test can show whether or not the liver is functioning normally. If so, that could relieve some worry about the importance of the enlargement regardless of the source.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bile-acid-test

The other thing you might discuss with your vet is having a liver biopsy done at the time she’s knocked out for her eye procedure. I think biopsies can be more or less invasive, but I think they can be as simple as inserting a needle and extracting some tissue. If your vet doesn’t think that would be too risky, that might be a diagnostic that could better identify the true nature of her liver enlargement. However, if the bile acid test shows that her liver is functioning normally, you might not want to even consider a biopsy at all.

So those are my own thoughts right now. Also, I see that I missed seeing your earlier question about CBD oil. I don’t know a whole lot about it, but I had decided to add it alongside Luna’s daily NSAID for added relief from her arthritic pain. There have been at least a couple veterinary studies that have indicated that CBD oil can be helpful in that regard. I do think it was somewhat helpful for her, but after the development of GI issues last winter, I’ve discontinued all her supplements aside from Denamarin for her liver. In that vein, I don’t know that CBD has the potential to actually harm the liver, but I do believe it can elevate test results for ALT, another liver enzyme. So right now while you’re trying to pinpoint Suni’s liver issues, it might not be a great time to introduce CBD and risk muddying the test results.

OK, gotta close for now. But definitely do get back to us with your own thoughts about all this.

She has been diagnosed with tracheal collapse. The trachea is collapsing worse at the bottom according to the x-rays. Yes, you are correct Marianne. She has had trachea issues for several years now and have gradually gotten worse to the point of where they are now. And get this!! You know what would alleviate the symptoms most? Prednisone! It may come to that, but not right now. GEEZ!! We are doing the bronchial drugs now plus a cough suppressant. She has done better today.

I am almost certain I am not going to pursue any cushings testing right now. I am beginning to believe from all indications that the liver might be the problem and we need to get her weight down for one thing. That's going to be a challenge since the girl loves to eat (and always has)! Exercise is also problematic because of her leg. Oh Lawd!!

The doctor would not elaborate on CBD oil, as I expected. She said in Texas that it was against the law to prescribe it. No problem, I was just curious. I am setting it aside for time being, but may get back to it later.

We will probably do a bile acids test and maybe even a biopsy when and if she has her dental. That all depends on how she manages with the anesthesia during eye surgery.

Thank you dear friend for helping me sort some things out. You are such a blessing!

Marianne, if you need to move my post to another topic since cushings isn't at the forefront any longer, please feel free to do so. I realize she could still have, and probably does, cushings, but we are having to address other problems before we get to cushings. Thank you mam!

Hey Shelba, I think we’re fine if we leave Suni’s thread right here for the time being. Even though other issues are now at the forefront, Cushing’s may still end up reappearing in the mix. As long as it remains a possibility, even in the background, I think it makes sense to keep our discussion about Suni here on the main forum.

So do keep us updated as things progress, OK?

You know best my dear!

I will certainly keep you updated and will reach for your hand to hold when she has her surgery the 9th of September.

Well, this is it! Tomorrow my sweetheart will have only one big black adoring eye. I am so sad, but just pray all her other issues can handle the surgery alright. Prayers would be so very much appreciated and I will let you know how everything goes.

Omigoodness, prayers are flowing for our dear girl (and for her mom)!

We’ll be anxiously awaiting any and all reports….

(((((((HUGS!)))))))

Prayers rising, Shelba! Let us know how things went when you can.
Hugs,
Leslie

As of 4:30 this afternoon she was awake off and on, pain meds taking care of pain and making her rest. She made it through surgery just fine (they said). Going after her in the morning. Mandi is so sad her sister is not here. She loves her so much that I don't know what she would do without her.
I have only cried once today, but there is a long night ahead. She doesn't deserve this!
Thanks so much for y'all's prayers, thoughts and concern. l Will post again after I get her home unless I hear something before then. Love you!

I’m so relieved to log in this morning and read last night’s report! All fingers and toes crossed that I’ll also soon be reading that Suni girl is safely home once again.

Prayers and healing wishes continuing to flow!

Suni is home, doing well and acting like nothing is wrong. Bless her heart, she looks pitiful but I am not going to tell her. She's still beautiful to me!
Came home with pain meds and some antibiotics.

Mandi was beside herself when Suni got home. She had been so sad and depressed. Now that child (Mandi) won't eat a bite of anything I offer her. Have no idea why. How long will she do that? Checked her temp..ok, felt around in her mouth..nothing, stomach seems soft, but I couldn't tell if something was amiss in there because I don't know how and what to check for obstruction. Now I am worried sick about her. She did her crazy and wild runs during her evening romp in the yard. Doesn't make sense to me. Could it have anything to do with the way Suni's eye looks? Hair shaved on one side, eye red, stitched and swollen. Any ideas or something you can think of that is a sure fire appetizer? I'm stumped!

Such good news that Suni is home!! And I wonder if maybe Mandi may just be temporarily reacting to the changes and anxiety in the house related to Suni’s surgery. Of the three dogs we’ve had so far, Luna is by far the most sensitive to my own moods. Especially if she thinks I’m worried about *her* in any way (like if I’ve physically examined her or even if I’m just watching her), she’ll go run to her crate and hide inside. And that usually means she won’t eat, either. Hopefully by today, everything will be more normal all the way around for you girls. If not, let us know and we can try to come up with some food ideas that will help.

Sending high hopes for a better day today!

It has been a better day. Suni is coping with and without her collar really well. As long as she gets food, she is a happy camper! Incision looks great and the doc said in about 10 days it would be healed. Just have to watch for accidents and Mandi's tail swishing in her face!!!

Mandi finally ate some and has done better today. I agree that it was the trauma of dealing with Suni and then seeing her face all messed up scared her. She still eases up and smells of her face and head, but she is accepting it more now. She sure adores her Suni! Hoping things continue to normalize in our household, and they will I am sure.

Now to begin deciding what to do about other issues! Geez! Can't seem to be able to buy a break!

Thanks again for the love and kindness shown. Means the world to me!

I've been keeping up with Suni's progress and am so happy that she seems to be adjusting. It is hard on the others when they don't understand what has happened.

Yes it is, Joan especially with the one who is so attached.

Just popping in to see how everyone is doing and report that Suni is doing so much better. Appetite has slowed, lost a few ounces, drinking near normal and she is more active. Still her sassy self. Her eye healed wonderfully and she gets around great. However though, she has become more attached to me and wants to be right with me at all times.? On the flip side, her trachea has become much worse and she coughs a lot. We are trying to control it with meds and they seem to help considerably.

I pray for all those here who are having a difficult time with their babies. It's a dreadful ordeal to go through, but we must do what we have to, and what's best, for our precious little ones. God bless you all, and my love to all the special folks on this forum sacrificing their valuable time for those in need as they travel the cushings road.

Oh Shelba, how great to hear from you! I’m so sorry that Suni’s still troubled by her cough, but it sounds as though everything else is on the upswing right now — WHEW! :D:D:D

Thanks so much for checking in, and we’ll surely be keeping our fingers crossed for you and your girls!

Love, Marianne

I started my 12 pound poodle, Suni, on Adequan injections a week and half ago to try and strengthen the cartilage in her trachea. She has had a total of three injections. This morning her appetite was way down and this afternoon she has vomitted a big amount of food with clear to yellow liquid. Doesn't want anythinjg to eat. I understand this can be a side effect of Adequan.

She also has the collapsing trachea along with cushings.

My question is: how much liquid pepto can I give my 12 pound precious baby to settle her stomach, or is there something better? I went through her medicine cabinet and she has no anti-nausea meds. I am trying to wait until tomorrow to reach out to her doctor. Thank you in advance.

Shelba, I’m so sorry I just now saw your Pepto question this morning after you’ve probably been worrying all night! I’m afraid I don’t know the answer, though, so contacting your vet is really your best bet. I’ve been given Rx Cerenia in the past to administer for nausea, but I don’t know about other over-the-counter options. I’m so hoping that Suni’s little stomach has settled down since you wrote last night. Please let us know what the vet says, and how she’s doing today, OK?

Sending big hugs to you, and healing hugs to sweet Suni.
Marianne

I wasn't on either, Shelba, and didn't see you post til just now. How is Suni this morning? My little Tilly was just diagnosed with collapsing trachea. She was put on an antibiotic who's name I can't remember and a narcotic for cough called Lonox. She stopped hacking and coughing and gagging within 1 day after starting these. She finished the AB this weekend, Fri nite was her last dose, and Sat night had one episode of hacking. BUT I had also put a little pressure on her throat that evening trying to keep a neighbor's happy-to-see-someone Pit from jumping all over us and I'm sure that had something to do with it as well. The narcotic she was taking twice a day along with the AB but I took it down to once a day when that was finished because doc said to use these "as needed". She got one last nite with her supper but not this morning and if she does ok all day I don't plan to give her one this evening. Adequan is in the plan tho if needed. I hope you sweet girl is feeling better and that her treatments help.
Hugs,
Leslie

Hoping her little tummy is doing better. I would contact my vet too about he dosage --- I am currently giving Cailey Pepcid (through the vets and not over the counter and also giving Cerenia to Cailey ---- have been going through a ton of stuff with her these past months. It takes at least a few days to show some relief but they both do work well with her.
Hugs,
T.

I am so sorry girls, I am just now getting back here. Life stinks sometime and certainly gets in the way!!!
Suni is doing better with her stomach issue. I did contact the vet and she said she believed the antibiotic was causing her problem, so we stopped it and she did not have another vomiting episode. She said she had never had an Adequan patient present with that side effect. So with my girl, the doc knows best.

She is currently taking Theophylline, cough tabs, Hydrocodone, a throat soother, and Valium as needed. And Terry, Dr. P. did prescribe Pepcid for her.. What all is wrong with your little Cailey?

Leslie, I am so sorry Tilly has been diagnosed with collapsing trachea. It is a gut-wrenching thing to not be able to help your baby. Suni has such terrible anxiety since she can't see and she panics if i get away from her. That alone is so stressful because she just follows me around coughing. We have done all we can do for her unless she has the surgery and that is just not an option with her and her health problems. So we are hoping and praying the Adequan helps her. This is the last week for twice a week injections.
We start the once a week next week!! Relief!!

It just hurts! The radiographs spoke for themselves. She barely has any air passage in her trachea.

Also, her cushings keeps rearing it's ugly head.

Mandi is so sweet trying to take care of her. She sure loves her Suni.

So we are just here taking one day at a time, doing the best we can, praying a lot and crying a lot when Suni is not looking.

Thank y'all for caring. Means so much to me and I love all of you dearly.

Good day all. Hope you are having an enjoyable sunshiny Sunday. Well, here at least!
I have something Iam going to throw out to y'all for debate, be it negative or positive, I value your knowledge more than anyone I know, and my trust in you is unmeasurable, so here goes.

I have spent several sleepless nights thinking and praying about my decision. My intentions are to start Suni on a low maintenance dose of Vetoryl without testing. I promised her no more traumatizing and unnecessary vet visits and tests and I intend to keep my promise. Everything that can be done short of surgery has been done, or is being done, for her collapsing trachea, and her eyes have been taken care of, so we are going to try for a way to alleviate some of her cushings symptoms to make breathing a little easier for her. May help, may not, but what do we have to lose? If there is something else worthy of a try, my mind is open to other options, but right now I am void of other options. I would just like to give her a more comfortable and less stressful time with what time she has left, and if I can lessen some of those cushings symptoms, I would be over the moon happy for her! I pray something grabs hold and works, but can't see it right now.

I haven't come to this conclusion lightly. My brain hurts from stressing over it, and I haven't approached the vet with this yet, but plan to tomorrow. She may fire me or she may agree. We will see!

Do y'all know anyone else that has started the drug without testing? This may be a common thing, but I have not heard of it before.

I ask your prayers that I am doing the right thing for my precious little girl and that she will benefit from it. Thank you all for listening and I do hope you will respond with your views and advice. I need it!!!

Thank you!

Hey Shelba, I’m so sorry that you and Suni have so many ongoing issues to be dealing with! I surely understand the toll that those sleepless nights take on both your head and your heart :-((((. I’ll be happy to give you my thoughts about the situation, but predictably (knowing me!) I have a couple of questions for you first.

I know that Cushing’s has been a huge question mark for some time now, so I went back and reread your thread again to remind myself of the presence and absence of consistent symptoms. At this point, which symptoms are present that seem most troubling for Suni, especially in terms of her trachea? In other words, what would be your most important goal with treatment?

Also, in terms of testing, are you referring to doing away with diagnostic testing, monitoring testing, or both? In terms of diagnostic testing, an ACTH stimulation test would likely be the preferred blood test since Suni has a number of physiological stressors (the ACTH is less likely than the LDDS to deliver a “false positive” in the face of nonadrenal illness). The ACTH only requires one hour between two blood draws, so that would not be an excessively long time for her to be at the vet. Some vets will actually let owners take their dogs out of the office for that intervening hour in order to reduce stress on them. Another preliminary test that wouldn’t involve a vet visit at all would be to collect urine at home to take in for analysis via a UC:CR urine test (Urine Cortisol to Creatinine Ratio). An elevated UC:CR means Cushing’s is a possibility but without being definitive. However, a normal UC:CR is virtually a guarantee that Cushing’s is not at play. So that might be a home diagnostic that you would consider.

Ongoing vet visits for continuing treatment monitoring is a different story. But as far as diagnostic testing, that should be much more limited and circumscribed. It sounds as if you have concerns about any further testing at all, though, so hopefully you can tell us a bit more about that. And as I say, let’s find out more about the symptoms you’re hoping to ease.

We’re here to talk, girl, so let’s get started!
Marianne

Thank you Marianne for responding.

Symptoms: She has them all full blown! Pot belly, panting, heat sensitivity, excessive drinking, overweight, enlarged liver, high liver enzymes, anxiety and enormous appetite and excessive peeing.
There is no doubt she has cushings.

If we could slow the panting, anxiety, heat sensitivity, the enlarged liver and get the appetite under control, it would be wonderful, because they all play a part in her being able to breathe without such labored gasping.

As far as her trauma on going for testing. She gasps, coughs and cries all the way to vet and then back, and while there. That's 120+ miles taking a huge toll on her breathing. Not up for that at all. So yes, as I promised her, no more testing, ultrasounds, or intubations. If being able to breath, if only a little, is not addressed and preserved, she won't be with me long. So this is a chance I am willing to take for her sake. My feelings are being buried for now I think.

Am I being too unrealistic? I can't think of anything else to do.

Thanks so much for this additional info, Shelba, because now I better understand what you’re struggling with. Of course, normally we always stress the importance of testing here, both for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. But in sweet Suni’s case, it seems to me that you’ve entered into sort of a hospice phase where all the usual bets are off. Her immediate comfort is the sole issue, and if I were in your shoes, I’d probably be considering the same option. I’m kind of in the same place with my Luna. I’m no longer worried about long-term ramifications of doing this or that. If I can try to make make the present day better for her, then that’s the choice I pick because I’m aware every morning that this may be the last day that we’re gifted to be together. So if your vet is willing, then I understand the experiment that you want to try.

I’ll be very anxious to hear how things go and surely hoping for a good result, my friend. Lots of love to you and sweet little Suni, always.

Marianne

Thank you, Marianne for understanding more of where I am coming from. Like I said, this is not a spur of the moment decision, and it has caused me a lot of anguish to arrive at where I am now. I understand that it would not be a right decision for most, but for me it is the only hope I have for my sunshiny girl. I have shed many tears trying to arrive at a decision and I am sure I will shed a lot more. However, in the end, I truly feel a little relieved and am at peace with this. If it fails, it's all on me and I will have to live with it.

I love you girl, and so appreciate your loving and caring input. I hope and pray you find an answer that will help your precious Luna. It sucks, don't it??!!

FYI, Dr. just called and will call back. She wants to make sure there is nothing else out there that we have missed to try. Bless her, she is so darn special!

Quick update on Suni. The vet wants to do a UC:CR test and a thorough ultrasound to take a good look at the adrenals, hoping to get the answer one way or the other. We are still contemplating what route to take. What would you do? I just want to do what's best for my baby, that's all.

I don’t think there’s any downside at all to doing a UC:CR since you would be collecting the urine samples yourself, at home. As a reminder, in order for that test to be accurate, the process should be as stress-free as possible for Suni. That’s why the urine should be collected at home and not at the vet’s. We’ve been told that, ideally, the test would be performed on a pooled sample — collecting the first urine of the day on three successive mornings, pooling it and refrigerating it until the pooled sample is taken to the vet for analysis. An elevated UC:CR cannot confirm Cushing’s (there can be other causes including simply feeling stressed), but a normal result definitively rules out Cushing’s.

Quote:

---

Urinary Cortisol:Creatinine Ratio
Creatinine is excreted in the urine at a constant rate; cortisol is not. The UCCR is a sensitive test to detect cortisol hypersecretion. It is imperative the dog is not stressed for the urine sample collection. To minimize stress, the owner should collect free-catch samples for 1-3 days at home and bring to the practice; first morning samples are ideal. Samples can be pooled to increase chances of observing an elevated cortisol due to daily variation. Stress and non-adrenal illness can cause increases in urine cortisol levels. False positives are common (specificity is as low as 20-25%), but a normal ratio is considered truly negative, and HAC can be ruled out.

---

So if it was me, I’d go ahead and perform a UC:CR first, since it shouldn’t be stressful for Suni. If that result is elevated, then you can shift to making a decision about the ultrasound or any other testing.

Marianne

I would definitely do the ultrasound. It was the ultrasound that saved Squirt's life the first time she was diagnosed with cushing's because it was a tumor on her spleen that caused ALLLLLL her cush tests (LDDS, HDDS, ACTH, and UTK panel) to come back positive even tho she didn't have the disease at that point. Had I started treatment based on those tests it could have easily killed her 1) when the tumor ruptured or 2) from an overdose because she didn't need the drug to start with. So please do get the US for sure.

Thanks, y'all! Yes, she is going to do both the uc:cr and ultrasound, at least. I will give Suni some valium for the trip as it won't affect either of those tests and maybe she can travel better. Will be making the appointment Monday.

Oh my! Thank you Leslie for that information! I did not know, or either forgot, about angel Squirt's ordeal. Sure did love that baby!
,
And thank you Marianne for reminding me about the pooling samples. Ideally, I guess it should be done 3 days before the test? I can do that after I get an appointment date.

I am so embarrassed! It's sinful how much I have forgotten about all this. I am trying to catch up though, and my gratitude to you girls for helping me do that! XXOO

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sunimist

Thanks, y'all! Yes, she is going to do both the uc:cr and ultrasound, at least. I will give Suni some valium for the trip as it won't affect either of those tests and maybe she can travel better. Will be making the appointment Monday.

---

Yep, I’m so glad Leslie had the chance to reply to you, too! And just to reconfirm, Valium *would* skew the results of a UC:CR, but since you’ll be collecting the urine at home it will be a non-issue for Suni during her vet trip.

And there’s absolutely no cause for embarrassment, girl! It’s been a very long time since you had to deal with Cushing’s, and it’s no surprise at all that it wouldn’t be in the top drawer of your memory bank ;-).

Goodness....I deal with this stuff every day and still can't remember what's what a great deal of the time! :o I'm sure my age has NO part to play in that tho. :D

So the valium would not affect her test results if taken after I collect the samples. And hoping the samples would be stable enough for testing? I am wondering about other meds she takes. Will have to remember to ask about that. Thanks for pointing that out Marianne.

No, of course age would not play a part in what we forget, Leslie!!:o
!